Resources

Resources

Alliance of Genetic Support Groups – The organization works to transform leadership in the genetics community to build capacity in advocacy organizations and to educate policymakers by leveraging the voices of individuals and families.

American Nurses Association – The American Nurses Association (ANA) is the only full-service professional organization representing the nation’s 2.9 million registered nurses (RNs) through its 54 constituent member associations. The ANA advances the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the rights of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Congress and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

American Occupational Therapy Association – Occupational therapy helps people live life to its fullest. It does this by helping people of all ages who have suffered an illness, injury or some form of debilitation relearn the skills of daily living. By focusing on the physical, psychological and social needs of its patients, OT helps people function at the highest possible level, concentrating on what’s important to them to rebuild their health, independence and self-esteem.

American Psychiatric Organization – The American Psychiatric Association is a medical specialty society recognized world-wide. Its over 38,000 U.S. and international member physicians work together to ensure humane care and effective treatment for all persons with mental disorder, including mental retardation and substance-related disorders. It is the voice and conscience of modern psychiatry. Its vision is a society that has available, accessible quality psychiatric diagnosis and treatment.

American Psychological Association – Based in Washington, DC, the American Psychological Association (APA) is a scientific and professional organization that represents psychology in the United States. With 148,000 members, APA is the largest association of psychologists worldwide.

Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC of PA) – The ARC of the United States advocates for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Together with our network of members and affiliated chapters, we improve systems of supports and services; connect families; inspire communities and influence public policy.

Autism Speaks – Autism Speaks is the world’s leading autism science and advocacy organization, dedicated to funding research into the causes, prevention, treatments and a cure for autism; increasing awareness of autism spectrum disorders; and advocating for the needs of individuals with autism and their families.

BestColleges.Com lists resources to help College students learn about and cope with mental illness. Students will find information on various topics related to mental illness.

Corporation for National & Community Service – The Corporation for National and Community Service plays a vital role in supporting the American culture of citizenship, service and responsibility. We are a catalyst for change and champion for the ideal that every American has skills and talents to give. The Corporation is the nation’s largest grantmaker supporting service and volunteering. Through our Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America programs, we provide opportunities for Americans of all ages and backgrounds to express their patriotism while addressing critical community needs.

Epilepsy Foundation – The Epilepsy Foundation of America® is the national voluntary agency solely dedicated to the welfare of the more than 3 million people with epilepsy in the U.S. and their families. The organization works to ensure that people with seizures are able to participate in all life experiences; to improve how people with epilepsy are perceived, accepted and valued in society; and to promote research for a cure. In addition to programs conducted at the national level, epilepsy clients throughout the United States are served by more than 50 Epilepsy Foundation affiliates around the country.

IBM National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities – The IBM National Support Center for Persons with Disabilities serves to help health care leaders, agency directors, policy makers, employers, educators, public officials and individuals with disabilities in the school, home and workplace.

Joint Commission of Accreditation of Hospitals – The mission of The Joint Commission is to continuously improve the safety and quality of care provided to the public through the provision of health care accreditation and related services that support performance improvement in health care organizations.

MoneyGeek.com – A Mental Health guide for students and former students under financial stress from student loan debt or other debt. The guide includes warning sings and many related online resources for further assistance.

National Alliance for the Mentally Ill – NAMI is the National Alliance on Mental Illness, the nation’s largest grassroots organization for people with mental illness and their families. NAMI is dedicated to the eradication of mental illnesses and to the improvement of the quality of life for persons of all ages who are affected by mental illnesses.

National Association of Social Workers – The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world, with 150,000 members. NASW works to enhance the professional growth and development of its members, to create and maintain professional standards, and to advance sound social policies.

National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities – NICHCY stands for the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities. We serve the nation as a central source of information on:disabilities in infants, toddlers, children, and youth, IDEA, which is the law authorizing special education, No Child Left Behind (as it relates to children with disabilities), and research-based information on effective educational practices.

National Down Syndrome Congress – The National Down Syndrome Congress works to help families and individuals with Down syndrome. We are the people who believe in our kids, demand their rights and get them affirmed. We are the people who supported them in all they did from infancy to adulthood. And, we are also them – we are people with Down syndrome.

National Mental Health America – Mental Health America (formerly known as the National Mental Health Association) is the country’s leading nonprofit dedicated to helping ALL people live mentally healthier lives. With our more than 320 affiliates nationwide, we represent a growing movement of Americans who promote mental wellness for the health and well-being of the nation – everyday and in times of crisis.

National Rehabilitation Information Center – National Rehabilitation Information is a gateway to an abundance of disability and rehabilitation-oriented information organized in a variety of formats designed to make it easy for users to find and use. For the past 25 years NARIC staff members have been dedicated to providing direct, personal, and high-quality information services to anyone throughout the country. As a leader in providing interactive information to the disability and rehabilitation community, NARIC’s Web site continues this tradition by putting the information into the hands of the users through online publications, searchable databases, and timely reference and referral data.

Network of Care– This Web site is a resource for individuals, families and agencies concerned with behavioral health. It provides information about behavioral health services, laws, and related news, as well as communication tools and other features. Regardless of where you begin your search for assistance with behavioral health issues, the Network of Care helps you find what you need – it helps ensure that there is “No Wrong Door” for those who need services. This Web site can greatly assist in our efforts to protect our greatest human asset – our beautiful minds.

The Partnership Training Calendar – This is a training calandar created by the Partnership. The Partnership is made up of these agencies: ACHIEVA, Institute on Disabilities, Mentors for Self Determination, Self-Advocates United as 1 and Vision for Equality. Information on training can be found for all of Pennsylvania’s counties.

Bureau of Blindness & Visual Services – The mission of the Department of Public Welfare is to:Promote, improve and sustain the quality of family lifeBreak the cycle of dependency;Promote respect for employeesProtect and serve Pennsylvania’s most vulnerable citizens; and Manage our resources effectively

Office for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing – The PA Office for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing, or ODHH, provides advocacy, information and referrals for Pennsylvanians who are deaf, hard-of-hearing or deaf blind, and their families and caregivers.

Bureau of Autism Services – The objectives of the Bureau of Autism Services for 2006 – 2007 will address the need to establish statewide diagnostic, assessment, training and intervention standards, and to begin the process of training individuals at every level in the system to meet the lifetime needs of Pennsylvanians living with autism.

Office of Child Development and Early Learning – Since its inception in 2004, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has focused on creating opportunities for the commonwealth’s youngest children to develop and learn to their fullest potential. This goal is accomplished through a framework of supports and systems that help ensure that children and their families have access to high quality services.

Office of Developmental Programs – Our mission is to provide individuals with intellectual disabilities, autism, and their families the services and supports they need and the opportunity to make real choices about living, working and options for social activities to enable them to live in and participate fully in the life of their communities.

Office of Medical Assistance Programs – The Office of Medical Assistance Programs is also responsible for enrolling providers, processing provider claims, establishing rates and fees, contracting and monitoring of managed care organizations, and detecting and deterring provider and recipient fraud and abuse. Our mission is to provide responsive, timely, and quality service to consumers and stakeholders (families, providers, advocates, employees and business partners).

Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services – The mission of the Office of Mental Health and Susbstance Abuse Services (OMHSAS) is that “Every person with serious mental illness and/or addictive disease, and every child and adolescent who abuses substances and/or has a serious emotional disturbance will have the opportunity for growth, recovery and inclusion in their community, have access to services and supports of their choice, and enjoy a quality of life that includes family and friends.”

Pocono Alliance – Pocono Alliance provides resources to the community by building relationships and creating solutions and has played a critical role since 2002 in comprehensive health and human service planning and management activities, program development and service delivery for low to moderate income families.

PoconoInfo – PoconoInfo helps residents find information about human services in Monroe County, PA. You can use the search options on this website to look up services or call 570-517-3954 to speak to one of PoconoInfo’s Information & Referral call specialists. You can also email PoconoInfo at info@poconoinfo.org to request information on services.

RehabInfo.net – The mission of RehabInfo.net is to educate visitors through research-based, expert written content. They are dedicated to providing comprehensive information about addiction, treatment options and the path to full recovery.

StartYourRecovery.org – is a free, confidential tool that helps individuals take steps toward a healthy relationship with drugs and alcohol. It was developed with the input of leading clinicians, experts from leading organizations like SAMHSA, and people in recovery themselves. Here, individuals can hear stories from people with similar life experiences, discover the answers they need for recognizing and dealing with substance use issues, and locate support. Family and friends can learn about addiction and how to encourage treatment and support sober living on the website.

SAMHSA Treatment Facility Locator – The Facility Locator is the most comprehensive database of treatment providers available but does not provide answers for many of the practical questions that individuals and families have.

United Way of America – United Way of America is the national organization dedicated to leading the United Way movement. Local United Ways create long-lasting community change by addressing the underlying causes of the most significant local issues. Common focus areas include helping children and youth achieve their potential, promoting financial stability and independence, and improving people’s health. Our goal is to create long-lasting changes by addressing the underlying causes of problems.